EIT-KICs

Knowledge and Innovation Communities – KICs

Their task is to operate top innovation-oriented research in the areas of central economic and social interest and spread model processes in the innovation sector, which have the potential to improve Europe's international competitive ability. The KICs indepedently determine their internal organization and makeup as well as the schedule and work methods. Participants in a KICs can be organizations, which are active in the knowledge triad of university education, research, and innovation. However, at least three partner organizations, located in at least two different members states, must be involved.

Projects that are strongly application oriented are generally at the basis of KIC projects, since they can already act a high technology readiness level or TRL. However, it is also possible to have projects funded in the field of teaching – for example massive open online courses or MOOCs – or in entrepreneurship – for example when founding a start up. The types of funding and conditions are different for every KIC.